PL

__**Week of August 15-19-2011-**__ **Mission and Vision Statements**

__**What did I learn?-**__ I learned how a mission and vision staement for a company can determine their future. Both the mission & vision statements are very important for the company's image & purpose. If the vision and/or mission statements are looked at skeptically, then there would be less of a chance for the company to prosper in the long run.


 * __What did I find interesting?-__** Learing about how things are perceived by customers was very interesting to me. Another thing that I found interesting is how if something is not communicated correctly then the same vision will not be shared, being on the same page is key for success.


 * __What questions do I still have about what I learned__**?- I don't have any questions.

**__Week of August 29- September 2-2011:__** **Strategic Planning**

__** What did I learn in class this week? **__ - I learned about doing a SWOT analysis, and how to analyze a company both internally and externally in order to find out how strong they are.

__**What did I find interesting?**__- I found the presentation by Mr. Cocco very interesting. It was cool to learn more about the Hershey Company as we will more through the year. Learning how to do the SWOT analysis was also very cool.

__**What questions do I still have about what I learned?**__- How long does it take to make an idea happen at the Hershey comapny, and what process does the idea have to go through?

__** Week of September 12-16-2011: **__** Shareholder Value/ Vision **
 * __ What did I learn in class this week?- __** I learned about financing. Many of the vocab terms that I needed to know, I didn't know before, but now I have a general idea of each term.


 * __ What did I find interesting?- __** I found the balance sheet process interesting. It was interesting to know how businesses working and that they basically hold other businesses on credit for up to 90 days.


 * __ What questions do I still have?- __** I don't have many questions. One question I do have is what specific office usually keeps track of all of this, and how many companies do thy give this credit to at one time?

**__Week of September 19-23-2011:__ Shareholder Value / Finances**

__** What did I learn this week in class? **__ - I leanred about Coporate Social Responsibility this week. I learned that companies are more than just about making money, but inorder for them to make money, they need to have a great company running from the inside, and also affecting those around them positively.

__**What did i find interesting?**__- I found all of the different ways that people judge a business very interesting. Every move that a business makes affects their sales, and how consumers look at their company.

__**What questions do I still have about what I learned?**__- No ne

**__ Writing assignment for September 30th, 2011 __ : Trends **

**__What did I learn in class this week?-__**I learned a lot about trends, and how they affect the busniess strategies of a company. The demographics of a community are big factors in the way a company sells. If the company wants a larger percentage of African-Americans to vote, then they will focus their commercial on appealing objects to the African-American community, and they will use the most utilized media source for that group of people.

**__What did I find Interesting?__**-I found the way that companies find trends in their customers is very interesting. They have jobs within their company for people to find out how people come across a product, and once they find out how a majority do so, they start to advertise more & more in that way. That takes alot of work, and time to do, so for a company to have devoted employees for those joobs is amazing! I also found societal impacts on business very interesting as well. If one product is purchased by a certain group, then the company must do what they can to have that same group continue to buy their product, AND they try to get them to have their friends, or other groups, buy the product as well.

**__Week of October 3, 2011 (Week 7):__ Market Research**

__ **What did I learn in class this week?-** __ This week I learned about ethnography. As boring as the word 'ethnography' sounds it is pretty exciting. The different ways people (consumers) are observed to find out what they like and why they like it is very interesting. I leanred about how different sources of technology plays a huge role in determing what people want from a product. The way people interact with the internet and mobile sources from day to day really tells about what they like, what they are interested in, and what they would be most compelled to buy when the opportunity to purchase is presented.

**__What did I find interesting?-__** There were alot of things that I found interesting this week. One thing that I found interesting was the study of Ethnographics itself. The way people are monitored, and the sales tactics are amazing. It is really neat to find out the set ups of sampling stations, and how there are people all around that people do not notice, taking notes on the consumers every move. Another thing I found interesting was the presentation that was given to us this week. The presenters (Andy Smith & Michael Murphy) did an amazing job. They had the best presentation thus far. I loved how they got us involved, and kept us attentive. The information they resented was also interesting, and it is always nice to hear about what you're learning in class being appilied to the real world.

__Week of October 10, 2011 (Week 8):__ Market Research

__** What did I learn in class this week? **__** - ** I learned alot about how research in order to release a product is done. The companies test and see if people like different products is cool to me. When the Hershey Foods guy came this week he talked more about how people in different countries like different tastes. It is cool to know that although Hershey is primarily known for its American produce, it is also known internationally for products us Americans have NEVER heard of.

__** What did I find interesting? **__** - ** I found the way that companies go about finding if a culture will like a product very cool. They study what the culture likes and the "norms" of the country, and base their production stratigies off of that. There is no better way to represent doing what pleases the customer beter than this. I really think that a great was to be more personable with a company is for the company to make what a person thinks count in their candy productions. For example, Ed Martin came and spoke to us, and he talked about how in Asia they like the flavor of green tea in their chocolates, while people in Mexico like a spicy, but sweet flavor. I also remember when Mrs. Meiser came in she talked about how in some countries the consumers like hazlenut flavoring in their candies. I think that candies made for certain countries are very smart ways to make profit around the world.

__Week of October 17, 2011 (Week 9):__ Product Development

__** What did I learn in class this week? **__** - ** I learned alot about how the way products are made, and the thought process behind making the product. Many of th ideas are rejecte a few times at first, but alot of innovation takes place.

__** What did I find interesting? **__** - ** I found the way that companies go about finding if a culture will like a product very cool. They study what the culture likes and the "norms" of the country, and base their production stratigies off of that. They are always keeping in mind what the colors of the wrappers & things of that nature could be. They have to follow what is culturally acceptable. Some cultures red could mean death.

__Week of October 24th, 2011 (Week 10):__Trial Production

__** What did I learn in class this week?- **__ I learned about the way Hershey makes their products. We learned more about the way their flavors are made, and about how the different candies are made to the customer's likings.
 * __ What did I find interesting?- __** The most interesting part of this week was going to the Factory. I did notknow that building was a factory at all! I thought it was just a business building. I think the way the Hershey products are made in there are interesting, and all of the different ways the candies are made are interesting.

__**Week of October 31, 2011 Week 11:**__ Branding

**__What did I learn in class this week?-__** I learned about how brands affect the actual look of a product. Many products are looked at based on how failiar they are to customers. If customers are familiar with the product then they are more prone to buying it instead of passing the item by. Brands are very important to a company, it basically makes the company. **__What did I find interesting?-__**The affect that branding has on consumers is very important and interesting to me. The more familiar people are with a brand the more they would want to buy a product. __** Week of December 5, 2011 Week 15- **__ Product Safety

**__What did I learn in class this week?-__** I learned how commited people are to making sure thatproducts we consume are always safe. They make sure that products are able to be eaten, they also make sure there is no cross contamination going on in the factory. They have to know what they are doing, and they have to watch everything very close at all times. If they slip up even one time the company can get in big trouble!


 * __ What did I find interesting?- __** I thought how intense the actual job is was very interesting! The fact that one mistake can affect thousands, even MILLIONS of people all over the world! It must be tough to have that type of pressure on one person in the company. It is a good thing though because the people will take their job seriously, and people will be safe!

__** Week of December 12, 2011 Week 16- **__ Experience at the Hershey Building

My experience was great! since it was an office builiding I did not think it was going to be very exciting. When we first went in I really liked the way the bulding looked. It was very nice, and it seemed to have a cozy feeling to it. When we got upstairs to the office space where the presentation was given, I got a chance to meet a professional in Cocoa Management and procurement. He was very interesting, and the information he gave to me was also interesting. It made me interested in that actual career. He told me he studied chemical engineering, which I am not interested in! He also told me about ghow his job isn't the same thing everyday. One day he may plan to buy a certain amount of Cocoa, and then the prices fluctuate so then he needs to rethink, and problem solve.

__ **What did I learn in class this week?-** __ I learned alot of different things about packaging. I learned about the various types of packaging there are in the world of manufacturing. I also learned the various roles that packaging plays in shipping, storage, and hadling of products. Many of the reasons packaging is used for is taken for granted everyday.
 * __ Week of January 3, 2012 Week 17- __**__ Packaging __


 * __ What did I find interesting?- __** I found how many different ways packaging is used very interesting. To know that packages are used for protecting through being dropped, the climates, and other conditions is cool. It takes alot of work to make sure everything is done properly. In addition, it is interesting that the package the consumer sees is for protection, and also for advertisemant of the product. It gives a way for the consumer to recognize it.

**__Week of January 10, 2012-__** __Product Planning__ **__What did I learn this week in class?-__** I learned alot about the planning process that actually goes into production. It is essential for everyone to stay organized, and focused on your tasks.


 * __ What did I find interesting?- __** I found various things interesting. I think it is very interesting how much planning it actually takes. There is alot of time a person needs to prepare for the actual production.

**__Week of January 16th, 2012-__** __Production__ __** What did I learn this week in class?- **__ I learned about how products are actually made. The specific processess every product has to go through to make it high qualtiy and acceptable for consumers is huge in the Production of goods. The class also learned about how Reese candy is made in the Reese plant located in Hershey. Although I did not go on the trip, I really wanted to, and I'm sure it was interesting, Reese is my favorite candy!


 * __ What did I find interesting?- __** I found the way products have to be made a specific way very interesting. When making Champagne, each different type goes through a different, yet similar, process in order to get the best quality. Each product is specific to its own needs.

__** Week of January 23, 2012- ** Warehousing __ __** Describe your learning experience from this week. What did you learn? Explain. - **__ I learned more about how warehouses function. I always thought they were just useless storage areas, but they are actually active, and alot of work is put into keeping up and managing them. The different shipping and location techniques are somewhat interesting as well. __** What was fun? Explain. **__ - I enjoyed going to Hershey's distribution center. It was pretty cool to go there, and see pictures of their center. I am looking forward to going and seeing it myself. __** What was boring? Explain. **__ -The presentation yesterday wasn't boring, but it was long and not interactive. It was more of a lecture than a presentation. Great information was told, but some of it was missed by us students because of the way it was delivered. __** How would you improve this experience? Explain **__. - I would improve the experience by not making the presentation as long, and actually have us get up and walk around while speaking about the facility.

__** Week of January 30th, 2012- ** Order Management- __


 * Step One "How orders are taken": There are various ways in which people are able to make orders for companies. The first example of this is e-mail. An e-mail is when the customer sends their order electronically in the form of a message. The customer would most likely send this through their employing company’s e-mail account or their personal work account. ****The second way a company can order product is through the internet. The internet is used when a customer wants to purchase from a company’s website. Many times ordering products from the internet opens an array of customizable opportunities depending on what the company wants. For example, if Wal-Mart wants the plume on each kiss to say “low prices” then they are able to go to Hershey’s website and customize their kisses. Once they customize it online they are able to add it o their cart, and place their order. Once the order is placed notification of it is sent to Hershey’s warehouse, and after a few days the product(s) will arrive at the Wal-Mart facility in which it was ordered to. **
 * The third way of taking orders is through fax. A customer is able to write-up (or type) and print their order(s) and then fax it to the company they plan to buy products from. For example, a customer would print off a copy of the order they want to place and then run it through the fax machince. The manufacturing company will then receive the faxed paper work, and place the order and send a confirmation back to the customer that they have received the customers order. The fourth ordering system is called VMI. This acronym stands for Vendor Managed Inventory". This program and EDI are similar to each other, but the difference is that VMI ** **provides certain information to a supplier about the products. The supplier takes responsibility for maintaining the inventory of the material. ** **The final ordering method is called EDI. The acronym EDI stands for “electronic data interchange”. EDI is a company software that can easily fill out orders. The program also fills out the company the customer is purchasing from. An example of this would be Krogers ordering 10,000 pounds of Reese Peanut Butter Cups. They will simply be able to fill out an EDI and the information will be sent to the Hershey Company. **


 * Step Two "Order Entry": ****Order entry is a step when the system finds prices, sources, and checks inventory availability without being told to do so. All of this happens because of the Available to Promise program, otherwise known as ATP. ATP is used to make sure that the company can provide customers with their orders. For example, if a customer wants to purchase York Peppermint Patties®, the system will check and locate the item in the warehouse. The system will also verify how much the product/order will cost. ATP then finds the York® Products in the store and calculates how much the order is going to cost for Customer Service representative. At that time the representative will let the initial customer know of the prices of the product. **


 * Step Three “Management by Exception”: ****In this step the system lets orders flow automatically unless there a problems. These orders are considered “no touch orders,” but orders that can potentially cause problems are known as “exceptions.” Problems that can occur to cause a system to have an exception may have to deal with price errors, special requirements, and/or item availability. If the order is stopped for an “exception” then a Customer Service worker will work resolve all order issues. Sometimes problems occur and cannot be filled which leads into ATP. For example, a customer places an order on a product that is out of stock in a warehouse if the Customer Service worker helps to find where an order can be filled from then the customer is able to receive what they are asking for. **


 * Step Four "ATP”: ****Orders are planned based on how much a customer plans to receive/has ordered, and how much room a truck or any type of transportation can handle. This step is based on process called FIFA which solves inventory issues. FIFA makes sure enough products are being produced to fulfill orders that are being sent through. Each product in this stage has changes depending on what the product is and its selling seasons. For example, if it is around Easter and tons of companies are requesting the Reeses’ Eggs, then Hershey Company has to make sure that they are maintaining enough within their warehouses to keep up with each of the orders. **
 * Step Five "Transportation": ****Each company and their customers have specific plans to ship products out. All companies and customers are different, depending on the company and the customer the transportation of a product varies. Products can be sent by truck or train. An example of this is Hershey’s transportation system with Canada. The biggest use of transportation between Hershey and Canada is train. Depending on the time of the season Hershey can end up with major problems due to “Spring Thaw”. Spring Thaw is when the ground in Canada gets really soft from snow melting. To deal with this problem the Hershey Company has to make sure they have communicated with Canada to make sure they have enough inventories for them. In addition, they have a specific time frame in which they are able to ship product to Canada. There are limits though because truck can only carry a certain amount of weight. For example, if Krogers wanted to ship in 50,000lbs of Kisses® they wouldn’t be able to. One truck can only carry 42,000 lbs. In that case the company would have to split the shipment up between two different loads and deliver that way. **

**__Week of February 6th, 2012- Distribution__** Order management, warehousing, and distribution are three topics we have studied that are all related to one another. The most common theme among the three topics is **__organization __**. An example of how organization is important is if a store orders 2 pallets of a Hershey’s products, they are able to send a carrier (truck) to receive the product at a Hershey's distribution center, depending on their location. The only way this is possible is because the product gets stored away so that workers know exactly where it is. The second theme I saw was punctuality. For example, if Hershey’s carrier is late for a docking appointment, they get a deduction from their invoice. Also, when it comes to Order Management, Hershey’s can’t just tell a customer they will be late or they will start to lose popularity and customers. The **__punctuality __** of everyone is very big for both customers and consumers. It is very important that distributors keep up with their word. If they fall short they need to provide proper compensation for their tardiness, unless they work something out with their consumer.

__**Week of February 22nd, 2012 - **__ __Public Relations__ Public relations has been my favorite unit thus far! It is a very interesting position/job in a company. In addition to it being interesting it is also one of the most important. The PR is the one to make the company look good in any situation, good or bad. This person has to be well spoken and presentable. They also have to know what they are talking about too. This job really differs from adertising, because there is an actual person representing the company in this case, and making the company look good during bad times. Ms. Anna gave us a great presentation and insight into what she does on a daily and weekly basis in this position. This may be a career I will look further into!

__ **Week of February 27th, 2012-** __Advertising There are various thuings I learned this week. I learned that advertising is not all about making commercials and putting them on air. Making commercials and advertising is way more than that. In this field there are two teams; one team needs to be creative and the other needs to be the professional side and agency. These two teams/sides of the company work together in order to dish out great ads. I wouldn't consider a career here because I do not take interest in it as of now. I think I would be a decent candidate for the position in the agency side because it is more logical than creative, I'm not a very creative person.

__**Week of February 5th, 2012 -**Product Placement__ In class this week we played a trivia game finding out new information that we weren't sure of before this unit. This week learing about product placement was VERY interesting! I learned alot more things about how products are strategically placed in the stores so that consumers like myself will buy them! The most interesting product innovation for candies to be more visible is the Trion System! I thought that was cool because you are able to see all of the same products with this shelving system, and have more space!